Abstract: Actuation means for actuating a functional part in an automobile by means of a handle portion or the like, whereby at least a portion, e.g. a stripe of an electro luminescence sheet is applied to a surface of the handle portion or adjacent to the handle portion and connected to an electric source.

Abstract: A lamp unit provided with an LED light source is attached to the back surface of an inside handle vessel, and the position of the light source is fixed. Then, the inside handle vessel together with the lamp unit is installed in a door trim.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a sensor to detect a first set of conditions and a second set of conditions. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light emitting source. The light emitting source is operable to illuminate selectively between a first lighting characteristic and a second lighting characteristic. The light emitting source is adapted to be actuated at the first lighting characteristic in response to a first signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the first set of conditions. The light emitting source is also adapted to be actuated at the second lighting characteristic in response to a second signal operatively generated by the sensor indicating the second set of conditions.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a vehicle includes a base, which is adapted to mount to a vehicle, and a handle portion, which is movably mounted to the base. The handle portion is adapted to connect to a vehicle latching mechanism. The handle assembly includes at least one switch mounted to the handle portion and an electrical circuit, which is adapted to connect to a locking control system for the vehicle latching mechanism. The switch is adapted to open and close the electrical circuit to generate electrical signals to the locking control system to unlock the vehicle latching mechanism.

Abstract: A rubbing strip for a car has a body adapted to be secured to a side face of the car and having a receiving space with an open end; a transparent cap received in the open end of the receiving space of the body and having a reflection area oppositely formed relative to the open end of the body, the reflection area having multiple reflection faces formed to enhance the reflection effect; an illuminating assembly received in the receiving space of the body and located to face the reflection faces, the illuminating assembly being composed of multiple light emitting diodes. With such an arrangement, driving safety is enhanced.

Abstract: A switch (10) for controlling operation of vehicle lamps (e.g., 16) comprises a base (30) and a manually engageable assembly (50) rotatable about an axis (32) relative to the base for controlling operation of the lamps. The assembly (50) comprises a magnetic member (56) that rotates with the assembly about the axis (32). The base (30) comprises at least one magnetic sensor (e.g., 40-44) and control circuitry connecting the sensor with the vehicle lamps (e.g., 16). The magnetic member (56) is rotatable about the axis (32) into a plurality of different rotational positions relative to the sensor (e.g., 40-44) to provide an output signal at the control circuitry (70) that is indicative of the relative rotational position of the assembly (50). The magnetic member (56) is spaced apart from the base (30) to provide contactless operation of the switch (10).

Abstract: A lighted vehicle body opening weather strip includes a longitudinally extending gripping portion having an outside wall, a co-extending tubular sealing portion disposed on the outside wall of the gripping portion, a carrier embedded within the gripping portion, a light source extrusion carried by the gripping portion, and an extrusion solid surrounding the light source extrusion.

Abstract: A vehicle interior component and lighting assembly that includes a vehicle interior component having a fabric disposed over a substrate or foam layer, or both. An electroluminescent panel is located between the fabric and substrate/foam layer and directs light from the panel through the fabric. In this way, the light source can be effectively hidden when not in use and can be incorporated into the interior component in a manner that requires little space. The vehicle interior component can be any of a number of different interior articles, including, for example, a headliner, door panel, vehicle seat, rear deck, sun visor, and trunk panel. Also disclosed are vehicle interior illumination systems using touch switches and electroluminescent panels to provide back lighting of the switch and/or vehicle interior illumination through the switch.

Abstract: A safety handle for opening a deck lid of a vehicle from inside the trunk compartment includes a handle and a housing having an outer wall and a perimeter surface. The housing defines a recess therein, which is positioned below or behind a plane defined by the perimeter surface of the housing. The handle is positioned in the recess and includes a handle portion and a shaft portion which defines a pivot axis of the handle. The shaft portion is pivotably mounted to the housing whereby said handle portion is positioned within the recess and below the plane defined by the perimeter surface such that the handle is pivotable within the recess. The handle is connectable to the release mechanism of the deck lid and pivotable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid of the trunk.

Abstract: A lighted vehicle body opening weather strip includes a longitudinally extending gripping portion having an outside wall, a co-extending tubular sealing portion disposed on the outside wall of the gripping portion, a carrier embedded within the gripping portion, a light source extrusion carried by the gripping portion, and an extrusion solid surrounding the light source extrusion.

Abstract: A vehicle puddle light assembly is provided in an opening formed in a body panel of a vehicle. A socket including a housing and at least one contact coupled to the housing is disposed within the opening and coupled to the body panel adjacent the opening. A lamp is coupled to the contact within the housing. A lens is coupled to the socket outboard of the lamp. The lens has an opaque upper portion and a transmissive lower portion having a plurality of facets formed therein for projecting light from the assembly and a predominantly downward and outboard direction. The housing includes a reflective upper portion for directing radiation from the lamp toward the transmissive portion of the lens and a reflective lower portion for directing radiation from the lamp toward a reflective surface of the lens formed inboard of the opaque upper portion. The radiation is then redirected toward the reflective upper portion of the housing and then toward the transmissive portion of the lens.

Abstract: A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, a release assist device, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control for activating the assist device or the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting fixture for securing to a vehicle, the lighting fixture includes a base panel having a base panel front surface and a base panel rear surface and having a non-invasive attachment mechanism on the base panel rear surface, and having a strap engaging mechanism; a laterally extending wire cover strap securable to the strap engaging mechanism and having a cover strap rear surface and having non-invasive attachment mechanism on the cover strap rear surface; a light source secured against the base panel front surface; a lens panel extending over the front of the light source and secured to the base panel front surface; and a lens frame secured over the lens panel and covering the perimeter of the lens panel, and connected to the lens panel by a lens frame connector mechanism.

Abstract: A release mechanism is located within a vehicle trunk for releasing the trunk lid. The mechanism includes a handle coated with a phosphorescent material to allow the handle to be viewed within a darkened trunk. The phosphorescent material is excited or made to glow by external light conducted through light-conducting means. The light-conducting means extends between a location external to the vehicle and a point adjacent the handle. The handle glows for a period of time following the exposure to the external light entering the conducting means to allow visibility of the handle within a darkened trunk.

Abstract: Actuation means for actuating a functional part in an automobile by means of a handle portion or the like, whereby at least a portion, e.g. a stripe of an electro luminescence sheet is applied to a surface of said handle portion or adjacent to said handle portion and connected to an electric source.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating keyholes comprised of an annular top housing made of rigid material, having recessed and through holes, and a recessed oval pocket having within two through holes. Top housing (12) is slidably over an annular bottom housing (30) made of the same material as top housing (12), also having recessed and through holes. A printed circuit board (40) having transistor (52), resistor (54), and male power connector (64), mounted and soldered directly on its surface, is housed and affixed within top housing (12), by screw (46), plastic spacer (44), and nut (48). A photoresistor (56) is housed within a pocket (20) and located on top housing (12), its two leads are inserted through two holes (22), located within pocket (20), and soldered directly to printed circuit board (40). A light emitting diode (58), positioned a predetermined distance below a keyhole, and having its two leads soldered to printed circuit board (40), is also housed within top housing (12).

Abstract: An article is described for providing illumination for a door handle in reduced lighting conditions. The article includes a mounting device and a method for illuminating the door handle. The method for illuminating may comprise a timekeeping device such as a light emitting display digital clock.

Abstract: A lamp unit provided with an LED light source is attached to the back surface of an inside handle vessel, and the position of the light source is fixed. Then, the inside handle vessel together with the lamp unit is installed in a door trim.

Abstract: A safety release handle assembly for a trunk of a vehicle is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety release assembly comprises a housing and a handle positioned within a recess of the housing. The handle is connectable to a release mechanism of the trunk lid and is movable to actuate the release mechanism to open the trunk lid from within the trunk space. The handle provides a mechanical advantage such that the release mechanism may be actuated upon exertion of less than or equal to approximately 20 Newtons at the handle. The safety release assembly may further include an illumination source, whereby the handle may be illuminated to assist viewing of the handle when the trunk lid is closed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a warning edge strip which is disposed at the edge of car doors and on whose rear side a light fitting and a detection loop are mounted. When the detection loop detects that the door is opened, a signal is immediately given to control the light fitting for lighting up or flashing in order to warn the vehicle behind that the door is going to be opened. The light fitting is lamp bulb, light emitting diode or luminescent plate which can be embedded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security system for a motor vehicle opening leaf comprising means for detecting, remotely, the presence of a user's hand near the handle of the opening leaf, the detection means comprising at least one sensor (32, 34) capable of emitting or of receiving an electromagnetic signal, borne by an internal module (36) which bears the sensor (32, 34) in such a way that the sensor (32, 34) is opposite an opening made in the bodywork panel (12). The security system further comprises a cover. The opening in the bodywork panel (12) is blanked off by a cover (40) made of a material that is transparent to the electromagnetic signal, the cover (40) being secured against an external face of the bodywork panel.

Abstract: A courtesy light fixture for an automotive vehicle includes a housing having a base, a header wall and a supporting portion connecting the header wall to the base. The base includes a plurality of resilient clips which snap onto a support member of a door module. Resilient fingers of the base bear against the support member and urge the base inward to seat the clips against the support. The header wall mounts a lamp receptacle. A seal surrounding the receptacle engages a flange of a lens assembly on a trim panel of the door module so that a lamp in the receptacle is held in a fixed relation with the lens assembly for best illumination of the lighted area. The lens assembly is removable from the trim panel for changing the lamp without removing the trim panel from the door.

Abstract: An illuminated door handle for a vehicle includes a handle having an inside surface in which a channel is defined. A handle waveguide that releases light along its length is positioned in the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that integrates puddle and footwell lighting in a vehicle with a speaker grille. The apparatus includes a grille having a plurality of apertures configured to permit transmission of acoustic energy generated by a speaker or other audio device. The apparatus further includes a light emitting device configured to illuminate a surface, such as the floor of a vehicle or the ground outside of a vehicle, through the grille.

Abstract: A lighting device comprises at least one door light (4) provided in a door (2) of a vehicle, the light source of which (6) is disposed behind a wall (7) of a door covering, in particular a trim (3), wherein the outer side of the wall (7) is formed, in this region (8), by a light-permeable decorative layer (10) which has a surface pattern when the light source (6) is switched off corresponding to the remaining surface decor of the wall (7). The light-permeable decorative layer (10) is introduced onto a transparent plastic (13) using the IMD method. It is thereby possible to impart an arbitrary surface design to the light-permeable decorative layer (10).

Abstract: A chemically activated lighting system is provided which serves to clearly mark an exit door or hatch as an emergency escape route. The system utilizes two chemical agents which when mixed together form a compound which radiates light. The agents are stored in a container which defines separate chambers for each agent. When the system is activated, the volume of each chamber is reduced, thereby forcing each agent into a mixing chamber where they are combined. The compound is then passed through a transparent conduit which is formed around the escape exit.

Abstract: A safety release assembly for a trunk or compartment of a vehicle is provided which is positionable within the trunk or compartment space of the vehicle so as to allow for opening of the trunk or compartment lid from within the trunk or compartment. The safety assembly comprises a handle for activating a release mechanism of the lid in order to open the compartment, at least one illumination source, which is at least occasionally activated to provide illumination of the handle, and a control circuit for activating the illumination source in response to an occurrence of at least one activating event such as when the deck lid is closed, motion is sensed by a sensor within the trunk/compartment, an object having a predetermined temperature is detected within the trunk/compartment, or the like. The handle is interconnected with the release mechanism of the compartment, such that movement of the handle results in activation of the release mechanism and thus opening of the lid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic light positioned to illuminate the exterior door wall in the area of the door handle. The fiber optic line is preferably carried in the door handle and positioned to produce a flood of light reflecting off of the door wall and in particularly off of the bezel behind the door handle. The fiber optic line may also be positioned in the door wall or bezel to produce light reflecting off the door wall or bezel. The door wall or bezel may include a lip or eyebrow structure over hanging the end of the fiber optic line so that the end of the fiber optic line (and the direct light source) is not visible to a person standing next to the door in an upright position.

Abstract: The vehicle has a door movably mounted adjacent an occupant's seat and a pull strap by which the occupant may pull the door closed. A lamp is mounted on the door at a position generally outboard and concealed behind the pull strap. The pull strap is vertically located in relation to the occupant and the lap in a position so that light emanating from the lamp is directed onto the occupant lamp for reading when the door is closed and, simultaneously, shielded from shining into the occupant's eyes by the pull strap. When the door is swung open, the light shines down on the roadway.